The last stage in the Pyrenees was a tactical one. With six climbs - the last one up to Plateau de Beille - it was important for all gc-contenders to be prepared for any attack. Team Leopard Trek sent two riders, Jens Voigt and Linus Gerdemann, in the breakaway that escaped before the steep first climb up the Col de Portet d'Aspet. But also Cadel Evans (Team BMC), Alberto Contador (Team Saxo Bank - Sungard), Ivan Basso (Team Liquigas Cannodale) and the yellow jersey, Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) had a rider in the front group. It was a balance of power and there wasn't any reason for any gc contender to get nervous. Jens Voigt's bad luck crashing twice balanced out the advantage the Schleck brothers had.
Everybody was focused on the climb to Plateau de Beille. It seemed that all the gc riders were afraid of losing and they neutralized each other, taking no risk and closing every gap very fast. This was the chance for the outsider Jelle Vanendert (Team Omega Pharma - Lotto) who attacked, got away riding at a constant high pace and won, 21 seconds ahead of Samuel Sanchez (Team Euskatel) and 46 seconds ahead of the first group.

With the speed set by Jens Voigt in the beginning of the first climb most riders were not able to follow,nearly each gc-rider becoming isolated and without a team mate.
Chris Anker Soerensen, too was not able to follow the front group and support his captain.
Chris Anker's average power for the stage was 259 watts, with an average heart rate of 145 bpm. He burned about 5.000 calories during the 5:17 h, climbing 4.500 m in total.

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Andrej Zeits (Team Astana) took advantage of not having a captain and rode the race to gain a good result for himself. He did it amazingly well, finishing 16th, only 2:38 min behind Vanendert. His SRM data indicate that he must have lost weight during the Tour. It seems now he's about the same weight as Chris Anker Soerensen, maybe even a little less.
Losing weight can get dangerous especially if you arrive at the start of the Tour 100% fit and lean. It's a sign that your energy stores don't get refilled sufficiently and you'll start losing muscle. That'll cause loss of power and a more vulnerable immune system, making virus infections more probable.
But if you come to the Tour below 100% of your fitness, but well recovered and with a higher amount of body fat, then you can lose some weight, increasing your performance by a progressing power to weight ratio. That seems to happen for Andrej. Let's hope he can stay at that level, keeping well and fit.
The average power for Andrej today was 251 watts, heart rate 142 bpm.
 

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Jérémy Roy arrived at the finish 26:45 min behind the winner. After his incredible efforts on Thursday and Friday he must have been totally worn out. His priority today was to finish the stage and get one day closer to the rest day on Monday. He did that pretty well, stayed with the peloton on the Col de Portet d'Aspet with a higher effort of 360 watts. When the race calmed down it was good for him and he was able to climb in his aerobic zone. Halfway into the Col D'Agnes he took it easier, staying in a big grouppetto with the sprinters.

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